Improved clamp for traveling-trunks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, JOHN W. THORNE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED CLAMP FOR TRAVELlNG-TRUN KS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 69,949, dated October 15,1867.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, JOHN W. THORNE, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented,'made, and applied to use a certain new and useful Improvement in Clamps for Traveling-Trunks; and .I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the said invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein Figure 1 is View of part of the front of a trunk with my improved clamps applied at the angle. Fig. 2 is a similar View, showing part of the end; and Figs. 3 and 4 are sections of the corner and cleat clamps.

Similar parts of reference denote the same parts.

In the manufacture of trunks it is usual to strengthen the angles of the trunk by straps of sheet metal. These do not project fromthe surface of the trunk sufliciently to protect the same against wear and injury from contactwith other articles; besides this, there is very little stiffness in such clamps and in the severe handling to which they are subjected the clamps often become loose or broken, or the Wooden portion of the trunk cracked or loos- By this construction the trunk is rendered very strong, and its weight but little increased.

In the drawings, a represents the bottom portion of the trunk; b, the upper portion or lid. These are to be of any desired size or shape, and should be strengthened by the slats c 0 applied in the usual manner. at is the valance, of hoop or bandiron, or sheet metal, that prevents the lid moving upon the body of the trunk, and aids in sustaining the hinges. My improved clamps for the angles are made of cast metal, and formed with a thickening or filling portion, 43, at the angle that strengthens the clamp. The portions 0 0 of the clamp, that e'xtend as straps from the angle, are gradually tapered or made thinner, and have holes in them for the reception of screws or rivets. The end of the slat or cleat is to be beveled offto correspond to the interior shape of the clamp, and it will be understood thata clamp formed in this manner is much stronger and more reliable than those heretofore employed.

The clamps at A and B are to be of the char. acter shown in Fig. 4. The clamp at c, at the angle of the valance, is made to correspond with the exterior shape of that valance, and thickened at the angle, as aforesaid. The clamp at D is to be made to conform to the angle of the side and top at the corner, and the clamp at E is made to conform to the bottom corner. Both these clamps D E are strengthened by a knuckle or angle-brace, h, that causes the clamp to inclose the corner, and gives so much additional protection both to the surface and angle of the trunk. The clamps D and E are to be made in pairs, or banded to suit all the corners of the trunk.

What I claim, and desire to secure by-Letters Patent, is

1. A trunk-clamp in which the metal at the angle is strengthened by the interior fillingpiece '6, rendering the same thicker, as and for the purposes set forth. p

2. And,in combination therewith, I claim the knuckle or anglebrace h, applied to the metal clamp for trunks, as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 20th day of May, A. I). 1867.

JOHN W'. THOBNE.

Witnesses OHAs. H SMITH,

GEO. D. WALKER. 

